Ruth Haines
Hong Kong International Airport has several currency exchange counters located in both the arrivals and departures areas. While it is convenient to exchange currency at the airport, it is not recommended due to poor rates and high transaction fees. If you need cash immediately upon arrival, it is recommended to only exchange a small amount at the airport. There are many better options in the city, such as Travelex or Global Exchange, where you can order foreign currencies online and collect them on arrival at the airport. ATMs are also a popular choice for performing currency transactions, but it is advised to use a local ATM at a bank location and decline the ATM's exchange rate.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Exchange USD for HKD at Hong Kong Airport | Yes |
| Best exchange rates at the airport | No |
| Recommended locations to exchange USD | Shops in Central or Kowloon, Mong Kok, Chunking Mansions in Tsim Sha Tsui |
| Best exchange rates | In the city center |
| Exchange rates at the airport | Poor |
| Exchange rates at hotels | Poor |
| Best option | Use a local ATM at a bank location |
| Best exchange rate at the airport | Travelex |
| Global Exchange at Hong Kong Airport | Open all year round, 24 hours, Terminal 1 (North), Departures after passport control in the East Hall, Accepts debit and credit cards, Visa and Mastercard |
| Best prices at Global Exchange | Order online and collect on arrival |
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What You'll Learn
Currency exchange locations at Hong Kong airport
Yes, it is possible to exchange USD cash at Hong Kong Airport. However, it is worth noting that airport exchange rates are generally not favourable.
If you are looking for currency exchange locations at Hong Kong Airport, there are several options available to you. The airport has multiple Global Exchange Travelex branches where you can exchange a wide range of foreign currencies. These branches accept debit and credit cards, as well as Visa and MasterCard. Here is a list of some of their branch locations within the airport:
- Terminal 1 (North), Arrivals B, Airside, Level 5 - Open 24 hours
- Terminal 1, Arrivals Hall (Landside), Level 5 - Open from 6:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
- Terminal 1 (North), Departures after passport control, Skypier - Open from 6:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
- Terminal 1 (North), Departures after passport control, East Hall - Open from 6:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
- Terminal 1, Departures, Pre-Immigration Hall, Level 5 - Open from 6:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
- Terminal 2 (South), Departures in the Check-in Hall - Open from 6:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
You can save time by ordering foreign currencies online via Travelex's or Global Exchange's website and collecting them upon arrival at the airport. Additionally, if you have a credit card or ATM with no foreign transaction fees, you may find better exchange rates by using a local ATM in the city centre instead of the airport.
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Alternative money exchange options
If you want to avoid exchanging your money at the airport, there are several other options you can consider. One option is to use an ATM at your destination to withdraw local currency. ATMs tend to offer competitive exchange rates, and you can save on fees by withdrawing a larger sum at once, rather than making multiple smaller withdrawals. It is recommended to use a local ATM at a bank location, as standalone ATMs may be unsafe. Additionally, some international ATMs may have lower withdrawal limits than your bank allows, so it is a good idea to plan ahead and make sure you have enough cash for your trip.
Another option is to exchange your currency at a bank in the city, as their rates tend to be better than those at the airport. If you are in Hong Kong, one user recommends exchanging money in Central or Kowloon, specifically inside the World Wide House or Chunking Mansions in Tsim Sha Tsui. They also advise checking the rates before exchanging your money and suggest avoiding Western Union.
If you have a credit card or ATM card with no foreign transaction fees, it may be more convenient to simply use that to withdraw cash from an ATM or make purchases directly.
You can also order foreign currency from your local bank branch before your trip, or order it online or by phone to be delivered to your home. Some banks, such as Wells Fargo and Bank of America, offer a range of foreign currencies for their customers.
Finally, you can use an international banking app, such as Wise (formerly TransferWise) or Revolut, to manage your money in multiple currencies. These apps allow you to hold and transfer money in different currencies, which can be useful if you frequently travel to certain destinations or have regular expenses in a foreign currency.
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Exchange rates at the airport
If you are looking to exchange currency at Hong Kong International Airport, there are several options available. The airport has multiple Global Exchange and Travelex branches where you can exchange a wide range of foreign currencies. These branches accept debit and credit cards, as well as Visa and Mastercard.
While the airport offers the convenience of exchanging money upon arrival, it is important to note that airport exchange rates are generally not favourable. Some travellers suggest that you only exchange a small amount of money at the airport to cover immediate expenses like transportation to the city centre, and then seek better exchange rates once you are in the city.
To get the best rates, it is recommended to order your foreign currency online via Travelex or Global Exchange's website and collect it upon arrival at the airport. This option allows you to benefit from their best prices. Additionally, using a local ATM to withdraw cash in the local currency is often a more cost-effective option than exchanging cash at airport exchange offices.
If you do decide to exchange currency at the airport, it is advisable to compare the rates offered by different providers, as there are multiple branches of Global Exchange and Travelex located within the airport. By checking the rates beforehand, you can make an informed decision and choose the most competitive option.
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Using ATMs in Hong Kong
Hong Kong is a financial hub, so visitors don't need to worry about accessing their money. ATMs are widespread and can be found in airports, train stations, banks, supermarkets, convenience stores, and on the street.
If you have a credit card or ATM with no foreign transaction fees, it might be more sensible to withdraw cash from an ATM than to exchange currency. Hong Kong ATMs often have good deals for travellers, offering very low or no service fees. However, it is recommended that you use an ATM that is in the same network as your card. If you have a card that reimburses you for ATM fees, you can make larger withdrawals to avoid paying multiple flat fees.
Visa and Mastercard holders should be able to use almost any ATM in Hong Kong. American Express cardholders should look for Aeon ATMs, which are most often found at MTR stations and Circle K convenience stores. Hang Seng Bank has set up numerous 24-hour automated self-service banking centres with ATMs. HSBC also has a ton of branches and ATMs around Hong Kong.
It is recommended that you always pay in the local currency (HKD) to avoid Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) fees, where the local bank can make up whatever exchange rate they want. You can research the exchange rate before your trip to ensure you are getting a fair rate. It is also a good idea to let your bank know before you travel so that international activity on your cards is not considered suspicious.
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Exchanging USD for HKD
If you're looking to exchange USD for HKD at Hong Kong International Airport, there are several currency exchange counters located in both the arrivals and departures areas. These facilities cater to incoming and outgoing passengers who need to exchange money as part of their travel plans.
However, it is important to note that airport exchange rates are typically not favourable. If you have the option to withdraw HKD from an ATM or exchange money once you reach your destination, you may get a better rate.
If you do decide to exchange money at the airport, you can find 24-hour currency exchange branches in Terminal 1 (North), Arrivals B, Airside, at Level 5, and in Terminal 1 (North), Departures after passport control, in the East Hall. There are also branches in Terminal 1 that are open from 6:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. in the following locations: Departures, pre-immigration Hall, Level 5; Arrivals Hall (landside), Level 5; and Departures after passport control at the Skypier. Additionally, there is a branch in Terminal 2 (South), Departures in the check-in Hall, which is open from 6:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. These branches accept debit and credit cards, Visa, and Mastercard, and offer a wide range of foreign currencies.
To get the best exchange rate, it's recommended that you check the mid-market exchange rate beforehand so you know the real value of your money. Services claiming to have 'no commission' often offer poor exchange rates, so be wary of these.
If you're looking for alternatives to exchanging money at the airport, you can consider exchanging your money once you reach your destination, either at a local bank or currency exchange shop. Major banks in Hong Kong, such as HSBC, Standard Chartered, and Bank of China, have extensive networks of branches across the city. Additionally, the Mong Kok area, particularly near Nathan Road and Shantung Street, is known for offering some of the best exchange rates in Hong Kong.
Another option is to withdraw HKD directly from ATMs, which is a common and convenient method, especially if your home bank has partnerships with local banks, allowing you to avoid extra ATM fees.
Finally, if you plan to stay in Hong Kong for an extended period or make substantial investments, you may want to consider opening a local bank account.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can exchange USD cash at Hong Kong International Airport. There are several currency exchange counters located in both the arrivals and departures areas.
You can find them in Terminal 1 (North) and Terminal 2 (South). In Terminal 1, there are counters in the pre-immigration Hall (level 5), the Arrivals Hall (landside, level 5), and the Departures area after passport control in both the East Hall and the West Hall. In Terminal 2, there is a counter in the Departures check-in Hall.
Exchange rates at airports are typically not very favourable. It is recommended that you exchange only a small amount of money at the airport, just enough to cover transportation to the city centre, and then seek out better options once you're there.
